Relocation Assistance

Relocation assistance pays for necessary costs of relocating you outside your current area to accept new suitable employment (paying at least 80% of previous wages). You must have obtained a new job or accepted a job offer for suitable work. You are eligible for relocation assistance within certain eligibility periods, and you must contact your TAA Coordinator to file an application form PRIOR to moving. Your TAA Coordinator must certify that obtaining suitable work within your area is not feasible.

Eligible lodging and meal amounts are based on a percentage of the federal government travel rates (currently 50% of GSA limits) and usually do not cover your complete costs.

The amount of eligible costs that TAA Relocation allows depends on which TAA Law applies to your petition:

either 90% of eligible (2002, 2011 and 2014 Law)

or 100% of eligible costs (2009 Law)

There is no maximum total reimbursement, except that household goods are limited to 18,000 pounds. The lump sum allowed depends on which TAA Law applies to your petition:

either $1250 max (2002, 2011 and 2014 Law)

or $1500 max (2009 Law)

Documentation

You must provide documentation of the job offer from the employer, that includes your start date, pay, and whether they offer any relocation benefits (which would be subtracted from what TAA allows). Your TAA Coordinator must certify that obtaining suitable work within your area is not feasible.

Eligibility Periods and Deadlines

You must contact your TAA Coordinator to get an application form for the Relocation allowance PRIOR to relocating.

There are two eligibility periods or deadlines for applying for this benefit:

You can apply within 14 months of either your last day of work with the TAA-certified company or 14 months from the date your company’s petition was certified, whichever is later.

If you enrolled in TAA Approved Training you have a second eligibility period:
You have six months from completion of your training to apply for relocation assistance.Your relocation must be completed within six months of the application date.